Bibbona

Located in the middle of a wide countryside, interrupted by suggestive views of the coast, Bibbona represents a destination that really permits to live a holiday in a deep contact with the nature.

Located in the middle of a wide countryside, interrupted by suggestive views of the coast, Bibbona represents a destination that really permits to live a holiday in a deep contact with the nature. The typical Medieval Village of Bibbona, characterized by narrow alleys, steps and arches, that bring us back in the past, is located few KMs from the sea, surrounded by the typical hilly villages of Bolgheri, Castagneto Carducci, Campiglia… The village has ancient Etruscan origins, to which is dated the “Capro”, an original bronzed statue, become symbol of the town, and nowadays kept in the Archaeological Museum of Firenze. Within the small centre we can find the Castle of Bibbona, enclosed by the majestic walls and the Church of San Ilario, dated 1175 and enlarged in the following centuries, that constitutes one of the few Romanesque churches conserved in this area, the only one saved from wars and raid of pirates.
It was built with local stone and inside conserves a marbled stoup and some paintings dated XVI° century, like a cloth depicting San Ilario and San Bartolomeo.
The Church of Santa Maria della Pietà dates 1482, at the bottom of the Castle of Bibbona, was built to house the venerate St. Mery’s image, who made miracles, painted on a rock under the castle, to which Girolamo Savonarolà dedicated a poem. The particular Latin epigraph “This is a terrible place” on the façade (quotation of a biblical verse) and the plan of a Greek cross, that recall the Church of Santo Sepolcro in Gerusalemme, are even today at the centre of studies and researches. Very interesting also the presence of a grave of a Knight of Tau in the center of the nave. It seems that the designers were Ranieri Tripalle and Vittorio Ghiberti, and that also Leonardo da Vinci contributed to design the church.
Near the new Townhall we find the Fonte di Bacco, that includes the ancient Arch, where are still visible some mysterious symbols. From here the water came down and raised the faucet of the Bacchina and the Bacco, depicted with bunches of grapes in the hairs and a flask in a hand, and ended up in the wash-tub and in the trough situated below.

History of BibbonaBibbona has old origins and the first inhabitants date back to the Stone Age, followed by the Etruscans, whose many interesting finds are still preserved such as a VI° century b.C. grave. During the Middle Ages Bibbona become one of the most important and competed castle of the Maremma, and Pisa, Volterra and Firenze had fought each other for it.
Towards the XI° century a lot of the lands were granted to the Earl Della Gherardesca, already owner of many Tuscan territories. Later Bibbona become a free city-state under the republic of Pisa until 1406, when it was subjected under Florence’s power. His original laws, which rule the city-life, remained in vigour until the end of the 1700.Bibbona lived a very flourishing period until 1549, when the lands belonging to the community were ceded to the wife of Cosimo I de’Medici and the inhabitants of Bibbona were obliged to pay the rent called “terratico”. Living standards worsen drastically and this was the beginning of the decline of Bibbona, marked by epidemics and pirates’ incursions that caused the depopulation.
Towards the end of the 18° century, there was a big improvement with the drainage of the swampy areas thanks to Pietro Leopoldo II. Only in the 1789 the lands returned to the city-state of Bibbona, but sold to the richest owners, which improved the yield from the land but not living standards. Nowadays Bibbona, that include the small outlying ward of La California and the seaside resort of Marina di Bibbona, is considered one of the greatest hilly region that bases his economy on tourism, agriculture and different handcraft-activities.

Marina di Bibbona
Thank to the mild climate, to the quiet and beauty of the landscape, Marina di Bibbona became a well-known seaside resort for a relaxing, funny holiday immersed in the nature. Called also Marina del forte, assumed this name from the Forte di Bibbona, a fort built in the 1785 as patrol point and defence of the coast from the pirates invasions.
Nowadays it’s partially used as expository space for fair and cultural events during the summer. The true jewel of Marina di Bibbona is its coastline, that includes wide thin sandy beaches, the “Tomboli”, typical vegetation of Mediterranean bush and the characteristic coastal dunes. The “tomboli”, formed during last century, have the function of sheltering inland cultivated areas from sea winds and are constituted by a low vegetation that divides the beach from inland. Marina di Bibbona is located just in the centre of two beautiful pinewoods that embrace the coastline in the northern part until Marina di Cecina, important tourist resort and in the southern part until Marina di Castagneto Carducci.
The pinewood is the ideal place to spend days in the refreshment of an extraordinary thick vegetation, organize funny pic-nic or walking, cycling or riding in the small tracks, followed by a pleasant fragrance of pine-trees. Long beaches lies of an unpolluted sea, some are equipped with bathing resorts and some free, they included 6 places of daily assistance to tourists. A space of the free beaches is reserved to dogs. The important award of the Blue Flag guarantees the cleanness of water. Ideal place for those who love water sports and bathes.

Bibbona: discover the surroundings

Etruscan coast
Etruscan coast is the name of the coastal belt which encloses the natural oasis of Bolgheri, the splendid pine-wood of Cecina, the rolling countryside of Bibbona, Bolgheri and Monte Calvi. Read more

Casale Marittimo (3 km)
Casale Marittimo has always been a territory rich in resources with numerous springs and salt mines and it has been inhabited since the Etruscan times as the above-mentioned Necropolis of Casa Nocera demonstrates. Read more

Montescudaio (7 km)
The town of Montescudaio lies on the first coastal hills that rise from the Cecina seashore but it is included in the province of Pisa. Read more

Bolgheri (12 km)
The Castle of Bolgheri has been known of since the 8th century, and it too belonged to the family of the Counts della Gherardesca. Read more

Suvereto (22 km)
Today the visitor arrives at Suvereto from the coast, coming down the Costa degli Etruschi along the via Aurelia and turning inland at Piombino or Venturina. Read more

Pomarance (23 km)
The village of Pomarance, whose origin is prior to the year 1000, preserves its structure of medieval castle with walls and access gates. Read more

Santa Luce lake (23 km)
The oasis of Santa Luce lake, with the over 150 censussed kinds, it represents an important area of standstill for the migratory birds and every season it has his protagonists. Read more

Campiglia Marittima (23 km)
Campiglia Marittima, maintains intact many aspects of the medieval town. The built-up area is dominated by the Castle built perhaps between the 8th and 9th centuries. Read more

Chianni (24 km)
The town of Chianni, where the castle and the churches of Santa Maria del Carmelo and of San Donato can be admired, is in the province of Pisa. Read more

Casciana Terme (29 km)
Numerous building of architectural interest rise in Casciana Terme territory, such as the church of Santa Maria Assunta. Yet, the town is famous for its baths, above all. Read more

Valdera (32 km)
The Park of the Valdera region consists of six municipalities: Capannoli, Chianni, Lajatico, Peccioli, Palaia, and Terriciola. Read more

Accommodations in the area

Podere Vignanova, little charming resort in Tuscany, in one of the more enchanting corners of the Etruscan coast, where vineyards with wines which are conquering the world.Surrounded by important vineyards in Castagneto hills the farm holding includes an old country house which hosts 4 comfortable flats and 4 delightful suites.

La Pieve, charming farmhouse located on the hills of Val d'Elsa, between Volterra and San Gimignano, along the Via Francigena, in the heart of the Tuscan countryside, with its luxuriant nature and rich history.Framed by olive trees and a wood, it fosters a direct dialogue with nature in complete relaxation where they contemplate and enjoy the stillness in private and unique spaces.

La Fornace di Racciano is a lovely Bed&Breakfast a short distance from the historical centre of medieval San Gimignano. It consists of a typical Tuscan country house surrounded by a large flowery garden. La Fornace di Racciano consists of seven comfortable rooms and four apartments, two of which are located in the ancient hamlet of Racciano.

Agriturismo Villa il Palagetto located in the vicinity of the medieval centre of San Gimignano, nestled in the rolling hills of the gorgeous Tuscan countryside.Provides comfortable accommodation in 6 double bedrooms and two Suites

Azienda Agricola Biologica Cesani is an organic farm nestled in the rolling hills of the Tuscan countryside, in the tiny country hamlet of Pancole, 6 km to the medieval town of San Gimignano.Azienda Agricola Biologica Cesani is an organic farm nestled in the rolling hills of the Tuscan countryside, in the tiny country hamlet of Pancole, 6 km to the medieval town of San Gimignano.

In the vicinity of the medieval centre of San Gimignano, nestled in the rolling hills of the gorgeous Tuscan countryside, Agriturismo La Lucciolaia is perfectly located for exploring Tuscany's most prized art towns.This ancient farmhouse has been recently renovated and divided into eleven double rooms and two Suites, where the magic atmosphere of past times is perfectly blended with modern comforts.

The Relais Della Rovere is a charming hotel created from the conversion of an ancient Benedictine abbey and a papal villa of the Renaissance period.Set in Colle Val d'Elsa, in the heart of the Chianti area, it is strategically located among Florence, Siena, San Gimignano and Volterra.

Beautiful villa with swimming pool surrounded by greenery and tranquility of the exclusive tourist destination Punta Ala and small attic used as service personnel only 300 meters from the sea of Tuscany.This ideal solution for those who want to spend their holidays near the beautiful sea of Punta Ala with the comforts of an exclusive villa.

Beautiful and characteristic villa with stone finishes located in the exclusive Roccamare area in Castiglione della Pescaia.Surrounded by the green of the pine forest and the total privacy with 2000 sqm park equipped with relaxation area and barbecue is located about 400 meters from the sea and has a private beach.

Agriturimo Marciano : an exlusive opportunity, two holidays at the place of only one. stay in the country and life downtown.
Marciano is located near the walls of the Middle Age town of Siena.
Five confortable double rooms and a suite with a beautiful sight on the Siena Duomo

Stone farmhouse in typical Tuscan style skilfully and elegantly renovated in a dominant position on the hills of Massarosa with spectacular views that reach the sea of Tuscany. The farmhouse has a swimming pool with whirlpool.Perfect solution for those that search the real authentic Tuscany staying in the hills but not far from the Versilia sea.

Historic villa 14 km from the center of Lucca immersed in the green of the Tuscan vineyards and olive groves, it has a private swimming pool and a large park.Set on 350 square meters in a dominant position offers a unique view of the hills of Tuscany.

The charming Marignolle Relais & Charme, nestled the hills of Florence, is the ideal solution for those who want a place of excellence and relaxation and love peace and privacy without the amenities of a luxury hotel.Marignolle Relais & Charme is especially appreciated by travelers looking for style and tradition by offering deluxe rooms or junior suites in a refined, with superior comforts and impeccable services that make this relais an excellence of Florence.

Beautiful ancient Tuscan farmhouse completely renovated located on Tuscan hills 10 km from the golf course of Versilia. The villa can accommodate up to 14 people.An oasis of peace for those looking for a stay in the Tuscan hills while staying close to the sea. Perfect for a relaxing holiday in close contact with nature.